Common impairments: Obtaining Michigan Social Security disability benefits for diabetes

If you have diabetes, you may be entitled to receive Michigan Social Security disability benefits if (1) your diabetes is severe enough to meet or “medically equal” the diabetes listing in the Social Security Listing of Impairments, or (2) your diabetes is severe enough to prevent you from working at any job.

Disabled under the Listings

The listing for diabetes mellitus requires that you have neuropathy (nerve damage) in two extremities that is severe enough to impair your ability to stand, walk and move; or acidosis (a disturbance in blood chemistry) that occurs every two months, on average; or retinitis proliferans (an eye disease that damages the retina), with significant loss of vision. If you do not meet these specific criteria, your condition still may “medically equal” the diabetes listing if you have a combination of impairments associated with diabetes (e.g., kidney failure, heart disease, foot ulcers).

Unable to work

If your impairment does not “meet or medically equal” the diabetes listing, then you will have to prove that your diabetes is so severe that it prevents you from doing the work you did previously and from doing any other work that is generally available in the economy. In this regard, the Social Security decision-maker will consider your age, education, work experience and residual functional capacity – that is, your ability to work despite the limitations caused by your diabetes. Medical reports from your doctors and your testimony at your disability hearing will be critical evidence in proving your inability to work. The more details you can provide regarding the impact of your symptoms (e.g., weakness, fatigue, pain, impaired vision, etc.), on your daily life, the stronger your case for an award of disability benefits will be.

If you would like to learn more about obtaining Michigan Social Security disability benefits for your diabetes, please contact me.